The Fashion of Travel

Over the past two years, I have been trying to master the art of travel. The saying that it is not the destination, but the journey that matters totally rings true for me. On the road anything can happen (and it has) and I absolutely love the possibility of the unforeseen happening. From spontaneous layover breakfast dates to the most tedious must-do's of air travel (security checks are like sacred rituals to me), I love it all. Of course, it does require a perfect travel attire.

Stage of Emergency by Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia © Steven Meisel

I am usually trying to pull of a "comfortable and sophisticated" look that I hope will spontaneously land me in business class. So far, I have experienced that draped long-sleeves and moderate harem pants are definitely a please-pad-me-down look for security officials, but I still find myself aspiring to that upgrade. (A need fashion is now answering with actual travel collections)

BCBGMAXAZRIA's Bon Voyage Fall 09 © BCBGMAXAZRIA

But what-you-wear is now equally important to what-you-carry. The luggage belt is like a runway (btw. they could definitely make that black dirty rubber a lot cooler, think: advertising). Everybody stands around fixated on all the pieces that ride by. Though most people seem more concerned with their own luggage and getting out of there asap, I am convinced everybody evaluates other people's goods. I do it! In other words, an excellent opportunity to get a good review (or a follow-up let-me-help-you-with-that date). Unfortunately, dragging of my plastic hard-shells is somewhat of an anti-climax on my otherwise thrilling trip.

Though my little orange hard-shell does pop for all the wrong or right reasons, it is vintage or custom-made luggage that I would love to have wheeling behind me: 'Vintage Luggage is back in vogue' and I'm looking to those legendary houses of leather goods, Goyard, Louis Vuitton, Delvaux, Hermès, for inspiration. With a vintage leather trunk I'd imagine myself to be a late Victorian desert crossing Gertrude Bell cum a 1910s ocean liner lady off to New York cum a contemporary fashionable traveler. 

Now, I often heard the petty objection that beautiful luggage is a waste because of the airport's cargo treatment,  but what is more appealing than battered, tattered, worn and torn luggage that shows you 'been there and done that'? That is exactly what you want to exude right? Hard-shell just does not age well, leather luggage ages beautifully.

Goyard Luggage - Courtesy of 00o00.blogspot.com

  - Gabriëlle Lucille